Mitral cerclage annuloplasty apparatus

Abstract

A mitral cerclage annuloplasty apparatus comprises a tissue protective device and a knot delivery device. The tissue protective device comprises a first protective tube and a second protective tube. The knot delivery device comprises a tube wherein a loose knot is looped around its distal end through a hole and wherein tight knot is formed when the distal end of the tube is cut open. Alternatively, the knot delivery device comprises an inner tube and outer tube. The inner tube is insertable and rotatable inside the outer tube. When the tubes are in a closed position by rotating either the outer tube or the inner tube, a hole is created near its distal end. When the tubes are in open position by rotating either the outer tube or the inner tube, the hole joins the opening of the outer tube and lengthens.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A set of devices for mitral valve annuloplasty, comprising: a tissue protective device, the tissue protective device having a cerclage suture disposed within a first protective tube and a second protective tube, the first protective tube and the second protective tube each having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portions of the two protective tubes being attached side-by-side along at least a portion of the length of the two protective tubes, the distal portions of the two protective tubes being separated thereafter, the tissue protective having a stopper being positioned on the distal portion of the second protective tube to prevent further advancement of the second protective tube into heart muscle, and a coronary protective device having the cerclage suture disposed therethrough and being positioned between the distal portions of the two protective tubes. 
     
     
       2. The set of devices according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the second protective tube has a tapering shape towards its end. 
     
     
       3. The set of devices according to  claim 1 , wherein the first protective tube is made of flexible rubber or plastic material. 
     
     
       4. The set of devices according to  claim 1 , wherein the second protective tube is made of flexible rubber or plastic material. 
     
     
       5. The set of devices according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the second protective tube is flexible enough to form an arch that traverses into a tricuspid valve. 
     
     
       6. The set of devices according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the second protective tube is rigid enough to resist being bent inward as tension is applied. 
     
     
       7. A device for reducing mitral valve regurgitation, comprising: a body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion separating into a first arm and a second arm to create a hinge portion, the body having a cerclage suture disposed within the body, the first arm configured to loop around a mitral valve annulus, the second arm configured to traverse a tricuspid valve, the second arm having a stopping element being attached solely on a distal portion of the second arm to prevent further advancement of the second arm into heart muscle. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the distal portion of the second arm is tapered. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 7 , the first arm and the second arm are made of a flexible material. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the first arm and the second arm have a diameter equivalent to a 4 Fr diagnostic catheter. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 7 , further comprises a coronary protection device having the cerclage suture disposed therethrough and being positioned between the distal portions of the two protective tubes. 
     
     
       12. A device for reducing mitral valve regurgitation, comprising:
 a body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion separating into a first arm and a second arm to create a hinge portion, the body having a cerclage suture disposed within the body, the first arm configured for looping a mitral valve annulus, the second arm configured for traversing a tricuspid valve, the second arm having means for preventing further advancement of a distal portion of the second arm into heart muscle; and 
 a coronary protection device having the cerclage suture disposed therethrough and being positioned between the distal portions of the two protective tubes. 
 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the distal portion of the second arm is tapered. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 12 , the first arm and the second arm are made of a flexible material. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first arm and the second arm have a diameter equivalent to a 4 Fr diagnostic catheter. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the hinge portion is configured to stabilize the first and the second arms with respect to a heart tissue. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the distal portion of the second arm is rigid enough to resist being bent inward as tension is applied. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the second arm from the hinge portion to the stopper element is configured to form an arch as tension is applied.